Ltc. Colonel, H. Neal Troy, Active Army Reserve (retired), passed away at home in Franklin, TN, at age 91 on September 8, 2019 following a brief, final battle with Lewy Body Dementia. A CD of his beloved Wesleyan Chorus, Monroe St. United Methodist Church, Toledo, OH, was playing.
His cremains will be interred on November 25, 2019 with full military honors in Sylvania, OH next to his wife of 53 years, Deliva “Dee” Neff Troy, who preceded him in death in 2007.
Neal was surrounded by his family, caregivers, hospice and his constant cat companion “Susie”.
Also preceding in death were his parents, John Neal and Irma Northcross Morgan Troy, and sisters Virginia Anne Troy Brown (Larry) and infant Nancy Troy.
Survived by children Paul K. Troy, Ellen Troy McNish (Kent), Timothy N. Troy (Gaylynn) and Jennifer Troy Papp (Chris).
Grandchildren include Kevin K. McNish, Emily L. McNish, Laurel M. McNish, Olivia T. Papp, Benjamin P. Papp, 4 “bonus” grandchildren, 7 “bonus” great grandchildren, 10 nephews and nieces and a variety of family pets.
A proud, cadet graduate of Virginia Tech, Neal earned both bachelors and master’s degrees in engineering prior to being deployed during the Korean War.
Known in industry circles around the globe, he participated in the engineering of numerous air, water, nuclear, and chemical waste projects throughout his lifetime.
While Director of Environmental Control for Owens- Illinois he was chosen to represent industry in the consensus building and writing of the United States Federal Clean Water Act. Owens- Illinois holds multiple patents created by Neal during his long career there.
Born on July 9, 1928, he was a product of his Iaeger, West Virginia roots and born into a family with a strong history of Methodist ministers. Neal loved John Denver’s “Country Road.” In the days before he died, he could be heard singing along, “West Virginia, Mountain momma, take me home, down country roads, take me home, down country roads”…
Memorial services will be at Christ United Methodist Church, Franklin TN, Saturday, October 5 at 11 am. Family will receive visitors at 10 am in the church narthex prior to the service.
Please direct any memorials to the Leukemia/ Lymphoma Society or Habitat for Humanity.
To leave a note for Neil’s family or to share a memory, please sign the online guestbook.
